Pillar IV - Jobs

Changes over the decade

For residents in the labor force (aged 25-64), Smoketown has a 23.9% unemployment rate and Shelby Park has a 14.6% unemployment rate, compared to Louisville Metro’s 6.3%. (For the 2005-2009 ACS Survey period). The labor market in the 40203 zip code has decreased 16% from 1998 to 2008, with a decrease in the number of business establishments from 654 in 1998 to 551 in 2008 (most current data).39% (213) of all 40203 business establishment have between 1-4 employees. Only 4% have 100 or more employees (20 establishments). Median household income in Smoketown increased ($5,107) almost as much as in Louisville Metro ($5,983) from 2000 to 2005-2009.

Smoketown and Shelby Park neighborhoods suffered the decline of the tobacco and manufacturing industries in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Access to well-paying jobs ended for residents with limited transportation options. Employers continue to do business from the neighborhoods. Some businesses are of long duration, and others recently have sprouted along the busy streets. There is a vision for a new set of family owned and neighborhood serving businesses that could increase access to jobs.

Smoketown has 748 residents ages 25-64 in the labor force according to the 2005-2009 American Community Survey data (most current available at the neighborhood level). This represents 47% of all resident in the neighborhood between 25 and 64 years of age (compared to 40 percent in Louisville Metro). Of those 748 resident workers, 179 (23.9 percent) were unemployed at that time of the data collection. Median household income in Smoketown was $18,071 from 2005-2009 (most current data), an increase of $5,107 (39 percent) from 2000. In the same period, Louisville Metro median household income increased $5,983 (15 percent). 54 percent of families live below the poverty level, and 97 percent of Smoketown students participate in the free lunch program.Shelby Park has 371 residents ages 25-64 in the labor force according to the 2005-2009 American Community Survey data. This represents 30 percent of all resident in the neighborhood between 25 and 64 years of age (compared to 40 percent in Louisville Metro). Of those 371 resident workers, 54 (14.6 percent) were unemployed at that time. Again, the impact of the Great Recession may have significantly affected those numbers.Median household income in Shelby Park was $16,212 from 2005-2009 (most current data), a decrease of $4,456 (-22 percent) from 2000. In the same period, Louisville Metro median household income increased $5,983 (15 percent). 42 percent of families live below the poverty level, and 91 percent of Shelby Park students participate in the free lunch program.The 40203 zip code offers the closest labor market analysis for the neighborhoods, with 551 business establishments in 2008. Business establishments with one to four employees were the most numerous, at 213 (39 percent of the total). The sectors with the most business establishments were: Other services than public administration (85), Health Care/Social Assistance (67); Retail Trade (54); Wholesale Trade (52); Construction (52); Professional, Scientific, Technical Services (48) and Manufacturing (46).Recession certainly impacted levels in both neighborhoods. When Louisville’s economic recovery gains traction, candidates for jobs may be successful in locating nearby employment as the Medical Center and downtown businesses, and as neighborhood firms, gain confidence in better times.

Jobs Vision Residents in Smoketown and Shelby Park neighborhoods are linked to and prepared for job opportunities.Jobs Goals

Establish or connect Smoketown and Shelby park youth mentoring, tutoring and other after-school activites and programs offered in the neighborhoods.

Reduce neighborhood unemployment by 10 percent (190 jobs).

Build on job preparation support systems like those already at Presbyterian Community Center and YouthBuild Louisville.

Create a neighborhood network that expands and links residents to neighborhood jobs.

Forward Movement During the QLAP

Presbyterian Community Center Family Resource Center expanded, resulting in additional employment positions. PCC acts as a job support portal to benefit residents.

Seven new teachers were employed at the new Presbyterian Child Development Center.

YouthBuild Louisville is offering job and training assistance in the neighborhoods, and have trained 67 youth, placing 23 in full-time employment. With Jewish Family and Career Services, YouthBuild will soon offer on-site career search and development counseling, small business development, referrals to local job training services and job search assitance.

Moving ForwardStakeholders continue to focus on creating a neighborhood-based employment network. There is potential for a multifaceted strategy, including venture capital or mentorship to fuel micro-business development, to maximize federal Section 3 mandates related to the redevelopment of public housing, and to recast job preparation, access and referral to businesses located within revitalizing business districts other areas of the neighborhood.

The tasty food and friendly vibe at Smoketown USA at Logan Street in Shelby Park makes it easy to "Feed Your Spirit."

The businesses of Smoketown and Shelby Park can look for talented job candidates from neighborhood classrooms located at places like YouthBuild Louisville's new Green Campus.

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